Norma Hughes (Scifres)

Considered Wyoming’s best women’s swimmer of all-time, Norma Hughes was the Cowgirls’ first All-American swimmer and their first NCAA qualifier. She currently owns six all-time swimming records; the 100-meter freestyle, 200-meter freestyle, 500-meter freestyle, 100-meter backstroke, 200-meter backstroke and 200 meter individual medley. Her dominance began as a freshman when she broke five school records and placed in the top three in three events at the 1990 High Country Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships. Her sophomore season would be her break out year as she qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke. Her most decorated year was in 1992 when she won three Western Athletic Conference titles, set WAC records in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke and was named 1992 WAC Female Swimmer of the Year. She placed 16th at the NCAA Championships in the 200-meter backstroke earning her All-American honors. Injuries to her shoulder would force Hughes to redshirt the 1993 season but in 1994 she proved she still was one of the best in the WAC as she took home the conference crown in the 100-meter backstroke. To this day she overwhelms the UW swimming record book, ranking in the top ten in all thirteen swimming events.